Hydrapple's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Physical bulk with Sp. Atk doing the heavy lifting. And the standard growth curve means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Sp. Atk EVs.
Hydrapple's Grass/Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, and Fairy. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The Grass/Dragon typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Hydrapple's physical bulk (base 110 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ground |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Hydrapple View Slowbro builds →Scald6-7% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Hydrapple View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn3-3% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWatercompaction ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Hydrapple View Palossand builds →Shadow Ball25-30% Scorching Sands11-13% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Hydrapple View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake13-16% | ||
 Pincurchin Electric | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Hydrapple View Pincurchin builds →Electroweb4-5% Sucker Punch16-19% Liquidation5-6% | ||
Out of 3 evolutions from Applin, Hydrapple comes from the move-knowledge path. The method you use determines which form you end up with. Breed through Applin to get eggs. The evolution from Applin pushed Hydrapple to 540 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +80. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Hydrapple to get Applin eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Plant egg groups.
Find one free turn for Nasty Plot and Hydrapple can run through teams. Modest nature leans special, Regenerator supports the sweep, and the remaining moves stops anything from walling it cleanly.
Best Build
Hydrapple best EVs are Sp. Atk and HP
Special Tank Moveset
- Earth Power
- Giga Drain
- Fickle Beam
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Earth Power
- Giga Drain
- Fickle Beam
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Fickle Beam
- Protect
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Hydrapple's coverage across 7 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Draco Meteor and Leaf Storm for same-type damage. Energy Ball and Power Whip are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Can't catch Hydrapple directly. Start with Applin at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 3-stage chain from Applin to Hydrapple is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Hydrapple in Scarlet & Violet
Applin is your first catch on the way to Hydrapple. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-35 across 20 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ApplinCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Water6%EarlyCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Water6%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Forest6%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Forest6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-35 Route6%Early
Step 2Evolve into Dipplin
Step 3Hydrapple ✓
Hydrapple looks average on paper at 540 BST. But Regenerator is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. A-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list.
Watch for Baxcalibur (Ice), Naganadel (Poison), and Dodrio (Flying) when using Hydrapple. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Baxcalibur is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Bug, Dragon, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Hydrapple gets Regenerator, Supersweet Syrup, and Sticky Hold. But Regenerator is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. On wall sets, Regenerator pairs with Hydrapple's base 110 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Hydrapple is a special attacker with base 120 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 44 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Hydrapple has answers, but so do you. Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Physical attackers can break through.
Since Scarlet & Violet, Hydrapple has been obtainable in 1 games. A Generation 9 debut means a shorter history, but Hydrapple has appeared steadily across every generation since.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SVDebut
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves